First Sitting Of Parliament

Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 8th, 2020 (ZIZ): Government officials, members of the business community and specially invited guests were among those in attendance at the Marriott Resort on Wednesday for the Opening of the New Session of Parliament.

More in this report.

The Opening session is the first sitting of National Assembly in the Team Unity Administration’s second term.

While no pieces of legislation were on the agenda the event served to officially begin the sittings of parliament and formally nominate and elect specific members of National Assembly.

The elected members were Speaker Anthony Michael Perkins and Deputy Speaker Senator Dr. Bernicia Nisbett.

The elections were followed by the administrations of oaths or affirmations for the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and other members of parliament.

As is customary Governor General His Excellency Sir S.W. Tapley Seaton GCMG CVO QC JP delivered the Throne Speech outlining the programmes to be enacted by the government in the upcoming term.

These plans fell under six pledges to provide a “stronger safer future”, and among the commitments outlined were plans to boost the national health sector.

His Excellency noted that another pledge focused on protecting our people and our borders.

He however noted that the government has a collective vision for national development and joint efforts and collaborations are key.

Other areas covered in the plans outlined included the environment, good governance, providing more opportunities and improving the quality of live for the people, and building out a diversified and resilient economy.